February 26, 2002 - News at a Glance

02/26/02 12:00AM

Wireless in VermontCell towers are a new challenge for the volunteers who sit on town planning boards. In the second part of our series "Wireless in Vermont," Steve Zind looks at two towns that are dealing with the rush to build cell towers. (Read the transcript or listen to the story online.) (VPR)

Vermont Yankee DealThe Public Service Board recently asked utilities to re-evaluate their decision to sell Vermont Yankee nuclear Power plant, in light of new forecasts that show lower prices for power in New England. On Monday, the regulators again asked the utilities to slow down on the deal. (VPR)

Church Abuse Inquiry
The Vermont Attorney General's office has asked to meet with officials of the Catholic Diocese of Burlington to discuss allegations of past sexual abuse by priests. The attorney general requested the meeting after the diocese acknowledged it has recently received several reports of alleged incidents. (VPR)

Flu Not Epidemic
Although it may seem like everyone you know has the flu, the Vermont Health Department says it's not that bad of a year. (VPR)

Crematory Regulation
Vermont lawmakers are considering a bill to regulate crematories in the state. Current regulations deal only with air quality and crematory chimneys. Officials say no complaints have been made against crematories in Vermont. (AP)

Dean's Campaign Financing
VPIRG says Governor Howard Dean is opening himself up to charges of impropriety by accepting certain campaign donations. Dean has accepted $5,000 from Robert Young, chairman of Central Vermont Public Service, for his undeclared presidential campaign. CVPS currently has a case pending before state regulators. (AP)

Environmental Legislation
Vermont lawmakers will be considering three pieces of environmental legislation in committee this week. One bill would change storm water runoff limits from development projects. Another changes the rules for public participation in Act 250 hearings, and a third bill makes technology updates to state septic laws. (AP)

Vermont Business
The Editor of Vermont Economy Newsletter, Arthur Woolf, say the state is not doing as good a job as it could in promoting itself to businesses. Woolf says Vermont's tax and regulatory policies discourage business growth. (AP)

Meningitis Case
About 20 people in southwestern Vermont are being tested for possible exposure to a disease related to meningitis. A student at Burr and Burton Academy contracted the rare infection, which affects the brain and spinal cord. People with whom the student had contact have been advised to seek
treatment. (AP)

Morrill Hall, 1890
An Iowa State University building named for a Vermont senator is in danger of being torn down. Morrill Hall, built in 1890, has been damaged by moisture and may be too costly to repair. Senator Justin Smith Morrill was responsible for the Morrill Land-grant College Act of 1862 that promoted public higher education. (AP)

Enron Officer Owes Norwich Taxes
Enron's former chief financial officer owes money to the town of Norwich. Andrew Fastow, who was fired from Enron in the wake of the corporations bankruptcy, owes nearly $2,000 in taxes on the land he owns off of Bragg Hill Road. Like 84 other taxpayers, Fastow is late in paying. (AP)

Canadian Board Rules on OMYA
OMYA Corporation is facing trouble with environmental boards in Canada. Ontario's Environmental Review Tribunal severely limited the amount of water that OMYA could take from the Tay River in the making of a calcium carbonate slurry. OMYA has faced criticism in Vermont communities for environmental impact on waterways. (AP)